Susan Fahrenkrug, '93 has overcome dyslexia to become one of Central New York's top information technology entrepreneurs. She credits OCC with providing her the support and mentorship she needed to overcome her challenges and empower her to pursue education.
Fahrenkrug graduated from Living Word Academy in 1989 and enrolled at OCC that fall. While waiting in line to take her placement test, she realized she needed to select a major. She saw the initials "ELT" listed on someone else's sign-in sheet and, even though she had no idea what it was, she wrote it down. "When I got my schedule I soon found out 'ELT' stood for Electrical Technology."
She recalled a lecture early in the semester when she asked a professor what a resistor was. "Some in the class laughed because I didn't realize it was one of the most basic elements in electronics." That moment served as a motivation for her to work even harder and earn her degree so she could prove her doubters wrong.
One year later while struggling through a calculus class Fahrenkrug learned she was dyslexic. She needed to step away from OCC temporarily. "I was very depressed. Back then there was a stigma. People weren't as supportive about dyslexia as they are now." She would return to OCC six months later and earn her ELT degree in 1993.
Fahrenkrug earned a bachelor's degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology, Cisco Certifications from Syracuse University (SU) and would write two books while working in Information Technology for numerous companies including Spectrum, Verizon, and Haun. "After my final certification from SU, I was done with school and really wanted to focus on my career and what I wanted to do next within my profession."
She found professional happiness working on computer networks. "It made me realize I could do this for a living and work the hours I wanted." Fahrenkrug started her own information technology company, Advanced IT, LLC. She also found Trillium Recycling, LLC which she still runs today. Her passion led her to put together a technology-focused event called Syracuse Tech Week. It presents students the opportunity to come together with local technology-based companies to see how technology is being used. The first-ever Syracuse Technology Week last year was a huge success and is now a not-for-profit organization. "The support has been great. To see this dream come to fruition with such vigor and excitement has been very rewarding. I could not be more pleased."
Her experiences have put Fahrenkrug in a position to offer wise advice to students considering future options. "College or advance learning can be for everyone. You need to ask yourself two questions; 'Is this profession going to make me happy? Is the job sustainable and will it be here in five to ten years?' If the answer to both is 'yes,' pursue your interests and everything will fall into place."
